In the history of writing this blog...and I use the term blog loosely...I have never written what inspires me. Usually nothing. Not, nothing, but I don't see inspiration the usual way artists see it. I get images in my head. Images of paintings and sculptures. The images are very vivid and very detailed, and most of the time I can recreate what I see in my head. Its like my brain has flashed a blueprint of what to create.
However, it helps to have visual stimulation in order to have my brain work on constructing the images. I filter all the crap I see everyday. Everything I see gets filtered, categorized and filed away in my head. All the images are sorted daily and matched up for possible painting and sculpture ideas. I dunno how it gets done, but I assume little brain gnomes do all the work. Multiple gnomes sitting around a table matching up colors, shapes, patterns and textures, surrounded by mile tall filing cabinets filled with images I've seen throughout my lifetime.
Earlier this winter I socked away several more images and the inspiration was almost instantaneous. A friend invited me and my partner to the Cirque De Soleil Michael Jackson show. Overall it was pretty spectacular. I was a little weirded out at times, but that's the magic if Cirque. There were several numbers which involved 20+ dancers and actors. The entire stage covered in activity as "Dancing Machine" blared from a myriad of speakers.
The best images were from that very scene as a dozen dancers came out dressed in copper, gold and silver. Dressed as if they were robots or cyborgs. Their shiny costumes limited their movement but they quickly flaunted a full range of motion. On dancer came out in large metal circle, almost like he was in a 10 wide frame. At each of his joints were fastened pistons that connected to the larger circle. He was wired to the circle but moved as if he was free-styling. He was amazing to watch.
The bright copper, the dozens of copper dancers and the music was phenomenal. Immediately, images of new works came flooding in. All I had was my cell phone to write myself a note..."Use copper paint in sculptures, Michael Jackson Cirque show". I just hoped that I would recall what I was talking about. I don't take a sketch pad when I go out for the evening, who does, but I knew I had some good ideas to work out the next day.
That's what been keeping me busy lately. Tapping into the inspiration from the images of that Cirque show. It will not be limited to just the mummies, there are also a series of porcelain dolls that have been turning out quite nicely.
I just submitted my application for the Vancouver Recycled Arts Festival in late June. With so many artist entering, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I will accepted. The bad news for the upcoming summer is the cancelled Eugene, OR ReArt festival. There is not enough funding to put on the show this year. Hopefully a show of equal quality will come up. If not this Dancing Machine will be up to his Thriller in artwork.
JP
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Monday, October 17, 2011
Out with the old and in with the new...new bigger space
Every once in a while I get the bug to clean everything out, donate it all to Value Village and live like a stuff-less hermit minimalist. Then I realize I need all this crap to make artwork and that its really hard to cook on a wooden deck with overcast skies.
But lately there has been a need to de-clutter, simmer down, and get rid of some of the junk that I know I won't use for art or life in general. I have been sifting through the Ken dolls that get used in making work and selling the ones that are more unique. The unique ones I can sell, and have sold, on ebay the slightly damaged, scarred, broken or other like dolls all get to stay and become more remarkable than their sold counterparts. The ultimate goal is to actually see all of the supplies on the shelving.
Work in the works right now are 4 mini paintings. I found four little 4" canvas wrapped blocks at Goodwill back in 2001. The colors are layered on thickly like caustic wax and it takes several hours to dry. And with just a few hours a few days a week, its taking longer than I would like to finish 4 little four inch paintings.
Another project on the easel are a new direction for creepy baby. I won't give to many details but I will say. It involves the porcelain dolls, stacked up like cords of wood at Goodwill. Its slow going as I don't have any concrete ideas as to what the dolls will look like or what direction they will take. And as always I'm not even sure what I'm trying to say with my work, or if I'm trying to say anything at all.
Stay tuned for more updates, sporadic as they may seem.
But lately there has been a need to de-clutter, simmer down, and get rid of some of the junk that I know I won't use for art or life in general. I have been sifting through the Ken dolls that get used in making work and selling the ones that are more unique. The unique ones I can sell, and have sold, on ebay the slightly damaged, scarred, broken or other like dolls all get to stay and become more remarkable than their sold counterparts. The ultimate goal is to actually see all of the supplies on the shelving.
Work in the works right now are 4 mini paintings. I found four little 4" canvas wrapped blocks at Goodwill back in 2001. The colors are layered on thickly like caustic wax and it takes several hours to dry. And with just a few hours a few days a week, its taking longer than I would like to finish 4 little four inch paintings.
Another project on the easel are a new direction for creepy baby. I won't give to many details but I will say. It involves the porcelain dolls, stacked up like cords of wood at Goodwill. Its slow going as I don't have any concrete ideas as to what the dolls will look like or what direction they will take. And as always I'm not even sure what I'm trying to say with my work, or if I'm trying to say anything at all.
Stay tuned for more updates, sporadic as they may seem.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Summer Recap
The past summer season of being a recycled arts Artist was by far the most fun.
The Vancouver Recycled Arts Festival (VRAF) was fantastic. The weather was great, the visitors were FUN and the artwork was different than last year. For the VRAF I took twice as many Creepy Babies as last year. However, it was the Ken mummy sculptures that seemed to be the big hit. I sold a few works that had been in the studio for a few years. One of my patrons who bought the coolest Creepy Baby emailed me a week later and asked me to be her mentor for her senior project at a local high school. I don't have kids, I'm way to immature, but this seemed like a great opportunity to work in the community and share some of my ideas about using recycled materials. The project will start in January so stay tuned.
This year I skipped the Mississippi street fair in Portland. Its too long, too hot and those people are more interested in drinking and gawking than they are about buying or discussing the work. However I did attend the ReArt Festival in Eugene.
The ReArt show is a fun show. I don't expect to make any money there, I go to talk with the locals. Eugene gets a lot of flack for being a little too...liberal, but the reality is those residents are interesting, intelligent and they love their local artists. Many of them thought I was from Eugene and seemed disappointed when I told them I was not. All of them were amazed that I traveled down from Portland to sell at a Eugene festival. Its only 2 hours and its such a fun and exciting day for me, why wouldn't I go to Eugene?
This summer I made more revenue at VRAF than last year and I made the same revenue as last year at ReArt. I'm not in this for the cash...If I was this blog would be updated more often and I might actually promote myself.
Now that the summer season is over, I'm hoping to find a Halloween show. I think my artwork would work well there. I have been to a Halloween art show in Jim Thorpe, PA. Halloween Opera in that little town is fantastic. Its a small show but the work there is outstanding. So far I have not seen a show like that here in the greater Portland area.
For the coming months I will be working on more sculptures, crank up the Creepy Baby factory and start working with a new media...porcelain dolls. The first few are halfway done and are just the caliber of artwork you expect from yours truly.
til later,
JP
The Vancouver Recycled Arts Festival (VRAF) was fantastic. The weather was great, the visitors were FUN and the artwork was different than last year. For the VRAF I took twice as many Creepy Babies as last year. However, it was the Ken mummy sculptures that seemed to be the big hit. I sold a few works that had been in the studio for a few years. One of my patrons who bought the coolest Creepy Baby emailed me a week later and asked me to be her mentor for her senior project at a local high school. I don't have kids, I'm way to immature, but this seemed like a great opportunity to work in the community and share some of my ideas about using recycled materials. The project will start in January so stay tuned.
This year I skipped the Mississippi street fair in Portland. Its too long, too hot and those people are more interested in drinking and gawking than they are about buying or discussing the work. However I did attend the ReArt Festival in Eugene.
The ReArt show is a fun show. I don't expect to make any money there, I go to talk with the locals. Eugene gets a lot of flack for being a little too...liberal, but the reality is those residents are interesting, intelligent and they love their local artists. Many of them thought I was from Eugene and seemed disappointed when I told them I was not. All of them were amazed that I traveled down from Portland to sell at a Eugene festival. Its only 2 hours and its such a fun and exciting day for me, why wouldn't I go to Eugene?
This summer I made more revenue at VRAF than last year and I made the same revenue as last year at ReArt. I'm not in this for the cash...If I was this blog would be updated more often and I might actually promote myself.
Now that the summer season is over, I'm hoping to find a Halloween show. I think my artwork would work well there. I have been to a Halloween art show in Jim Thorpe, PA. Halloween Opera in that little town is fantastic. Its a small show but the work there is outstanding. So far I have not seen a show like that here in the greater Portland area.
For the coming months I will be working on more sculptures, crank up the Creepy Baby factory and start working with a new media...porcelain dolls. The first few are halfway done and are just the caliber of artwork you expect from yours truly.
til later,
JP
Friday, April 15, 2011
Busy Bee
Hey Art Fans!!
I've been a little busy with my day job...however recent upper respiratory infections have allowed me to start new works. Over the past 3 days I was able to dye 26 baby dolls, cupie dolls and little cupie dolls. My new favorite doll is made by Berenguer...they have great faces, they dye like a dream, and they turn out amazing. Look for more updates as I think I have figured out how to keep up with blogging.
I've been a little busy with my day job...however recent upper respiratory infections have allowed me to start new works. Over the past 3 days I was able to dye 26 baby dolls, cupie dolls and little cupie dolls. My new favorite doll is made by Berenguer...they have great faces, they dye like a dream, and they turn out amazing. Look for more updates as I think I have figured out how to keep up with blogging.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Alright so I am the worst blogger ever. This hasn't been updated in a long time.
BUT, new season, and some great shows coming up and soon some great work that was created over the winter. PLUS a new logo for business cards, a banner and maybe even t-shirts!!
The first show will be the Vancouver Recycled Arts Festival, June 26th & 27th at Ester Short Park in downtown Vancouver. I have a booth right in the middle this year. For this show I will have more creepy babies/creepy dolls. Yes I typed dolls, I have come across an interesting medium over the winter...you'll have to check out my booth and then after the summer what's left will get posted on the website.
JP
BUT, new season, and some great shows coming up and soon some great work that was created over the winter. PLUS a new logo for business cards, a banner and maybe even t-shirts!!
The first show will be the Vancouver Recycled Arts Festival, June 26th & 27th at Ester Short Park in downtown Vancouver. I have a booth right in the middle this year. For this show I will have more creepy babies/creepy dolls. Yes I typed dolls, I have come across an interesting medium over the winter...you'll have to check out my booth and then after the summer what's left will get posted on the website.
JP
Thursday, May 28, 2009
And I'm in the show!!
That show is the Vancouver, WA Recycled Arts Festival on June 27th and 28th from 9-4pm, at Esther Short Park in downtown Vancouver Washington. Go to http://www.recycledartsfestival.org/ for more information and check out the other artists that will be there as well. I will have all the new work from the last show as well as a selection of work from the past 5 years. I will also have brand new work that will debut at this show. The new show will then be available on the website. A boy's gotta eat. For those of you in the immediate area I will be making up cards to hand out so everyone will know about the Vancouver RAF. Come check out my booth, check out the artwork and stop by to say "Hi".
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Las Vegas
For those of you in the know, I'm back from Las Vegas. This was a vacation trip to spend time with family, even though we are all from Oregon/Washington, we spent time in Las Vegas honoring my father for his 60th birthday.
It was a lot of fun. I saw and participated in a lot of debauchery, spirits and frivilous gambling, but that is what Vegas is all about.
I took quite a few pictures to use for inspiration in upcoming paintings and then on the plane was hit like a ton of bricks with new ideas for new sculptures. I just need to get my hands on some mannequins.
This summer I will be selling new and old work at the Recycled Arts Festival in Vancouver, Washington (June) as well as the Mississippi Street Fair in Portland, Oregon (July). At the Recycled Arts Festival I will be bringing some cheap forms I made from little male torso shells I found awhile ago. They are made of paper. I have been shredding bills and receipts for several months now and now have an idea of what to do with the shreddings.
Hopefully I will see some of you at the festivals if not, check out the webiste after July for new work!!
JP
It was a lot of fun. I saw and participated in a lot of debauchery, spirits and frivilous gambling, but that is what Vegas is all about.
I took quite a few pictures to use for inspiration in upcoming paintings and then on the plane was hit like a ton of bricks with new ideas for new sculptures. I just need to get my hands on some mannequins.
This summer I will be selling new and old work at the Recycled Arts Festival in Vancouver, Washington (June) as well as the Mississippi Street Fair in Portland, Oregon (July). At the Recycled Arts Festival I will be bringing some cheap forms I made from little male torso shells I found awhile ago. They are made of paper. I have been shredding bills and receipts for several months now and now have an idea of what to do with the shreddings.
Hopefully I will see some of you at the festivals if not, check out the webiste after July for new work!!
JP
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